Local legislators all expressed opposition to the proposed Palmetto Pipeline at the annual Eggs and Issues breakfast on Wednesday.
Georgia House Representatives Jon Burns and Bill Hitchens and State Senator Jack Hill participated in the panel.
“I oppose it,” Hitchens said of the pipeline. “It doesn’t look to me that we have a petroleum shortage.”
Hitchens also said he was concerned about the environmental dangers.
“What happens if it leaks and gets into our water table? What in the world will we do then?”
All three said the possible use of eminent domain by a private company is bothersome.
“I have a real problem using eminent domain for a private company,” Burns said. “And they do intend to use it.”
Hill has also been distressed by a dearth of information.
“I’ve been amazed by the lack of transparency in the process,” Hill said. “It’s been a disappointment. There may be a good case for it, but I haven’t seen it yet.”
Texas-based Kinder Morgan plans to build the pipeline across 210 miles of Georgia to bring gasoline and diesel from the Gulf and ethanol from South Carolina to North Augusta, S.C., Savannah and Jacksonville. The current route runs through the property of 396 Georgia landowners across 12 counties as the pipeline parallels first the Savannah River then the coast to Florida. Kinder Morgan applied on Feb. 13 to the Georgia DOT for a needs certificate that will give it the right to condemn property.
Questions prepared for the legislators by the chamber and submitted by the public, also touched on education, economic development and healthcare.
The trio were asked what is the most important legislation passed in those areas this session.
Hill said the biggest thing in education is an increase in education funding.
Hill also noted an anti-bullying law had been updated to include cyber bullying.
A bill that removes the graduation test requirement for high school students was also noted.
In the area of economic development, the transportation funding act was cited by the law makers.
“It was a difficult vote,” Hitchens said.
The act changes sales taxes to excise taxes on gas and also puts a $5 per night fee on hotel night stays.
Savannah visitors already pay 13 percent in taxes on rooms. The fee was strongly opposed by hospitality industry officials.
Hill also noted $1 million had been designated for an advanced manufacturing degree at Georgia Southern. It will be the only one in the state.
In healthcare Burns said Effingham is blessed with the hospital that we have.
Effingham’s Health System should be protected, Hill said.
Hill said no changes should be made in the certificate of need for protection of the hospital.
There has been an effort by a group of physicians to have the certificate of need law altered
The proposed change would allow physicians to open surgery centers most anywhere - even next to a hospital.
Those centers would likely only serve the insured and those that can pay, leaving the local hospital out of the picture for those patients.
The Chamber of Commerce event was held at the Effingham College and Career Academy. Breakfast was prepared by the school’s culinary students.